[nycNurse2b]

Hello



Thanks in advance to anyone who is able to help me out with some answers to my questions.



Background: I’m in my 30’s and looking to change careers to nursing – there are several reasons for this, I won’t get into them, but its right for me. I have a BS in Business from a good private 4 year college. A few questions:



1) I plan to get my Associates in Nursing from a CUNY school. (one is right by my apt. and most convenient for me) Will it be harder to get a Nursing job in NYC with an Associates degree from a CUNY school? Is it like on Wall Street where the top jobs go to the IVY League Grads?

2) When applying for admission, will CUNY look at my college transcripts and waive any courses? (being a biz major, I think the only relevant ones are an intro to psych and intro to sociology I took) Also, will they need my undergrad GPA for admission or is there an admission test? Do I need to have taken science classes (I haven’t). Sorry – but I’ve already looked all over the web and can’t seem to get answers.

3) Are there any nurses out there who did not grow up with the sciences being their strong suit? People have already commented – “you were never a big fan of biology when you were in school” – am I making a mistake?



THANKS VERY MUCH!

[traumaRUs]

I don't live in New York, so can't address those concerns. However, I wish you luck. How about contacting the school? Most are very willing to talk with prospective students.

[tennyson]

Originally Posted by nycNurse2b

Hello



Thanks in advance to anyone who is able to help me out with some answers to my questions.



Background: I’m in my 30’s and looking to change careers to nursing – there are several reasons for this, I won’t get into them, but its right for me. I have a BS in Business from a good private 4 year college. A few questions:



1) I plan to get my Associates in Nursing from a CUNY school. (one is right by my apt. and most convenient for me) Will it be harder to get a Nursing job in NYC with an Associates degree from a CUNY school? Is it like on Wall Street where the top jobs go to the IVY League Grads?

2) When applying for admission, will CUNY look at my college transcripts and waive any courses? (being a biz major, I think the only relevant ones are an intro to psych and intro to sociology I took) Also, will they need my undergrad GPA for admission or is there an admission test? Do I need to have taken science classes (I haven’t). Sorry – but I’ve already looked all over the web and can’t seem to get answers.

3) Are there any nurses out there who did not grow up with the sciences being their strong suit? People have already commented – “you were never a big fan of biology when you were in school” – am I making a mistake?



THANKS VERY MUCH!

You do need to take all the science prereqs wherever you go; these are generally Chemistry, A&P I & II, and Microbiology. As a second degree student you're eligible to apply to accelerated programs that let you get the BSN in 12-16 months (less than the amount of time you would spend getting an associates from CUNY). In New York, NYU, SUNY Brooklyn, Columbia, & Pace have these programs (although at Columbia you have to go through to the MSN). SUNY is obviously the least expensive of these.

If you wanted to do the traditional route, you would not have a problem finding a job in NYC with a nursing degree from a CUNY school. Hunter is the most highly rated, and BMCC is considered pretty good as well (but they don't offer a BSN as a 2 year college). The problem with CUNY is that there are hordes of students who want in to their nursing programs, so you need a super high GPA in the science prereqs to have a high spot on their waiting lists. And be prepared to deal with massive amounts of red tape to get registered and receive financial aid.

Also, you need to be a student at Hunter for at least 1 semester before even applying to their nursing program. Getting into Hunter at all is difficult due to high # of applicants, and then once you are in, getting into the prereq classes is difficult since they all fill up quickly. With your bachelors, you won't need to take an admission test, and they will transfer pretty much all the classes you would need to get the BSN so all you need to take are the nursing courses.

I too always avoided science classes, but I've found if you're interested in the material and motivated, they really are not that bad!
Good luck!

[SBUalum03]

Hi NYCNurse2b, I am also changing my career (even though I just graduated college with a BA in Psych). One thing I found out about the CUNY schools is that a lot of them have waiting list. You should call the Nursing Depts of these schools to find out how long are the list. I'm applying to College of Mount Saint Vincent which in is Riverdale(Bronx), BUT they offer the nursing classes at their Manhattan campus. They also offer the pre-req. courses at the Manhattan site. They are expensive $580 a credit but they give you 75 credits toward your BSN if you already have a Bachelor's Degree. Go on the website and check them out. Also LIU Brooklyn campus has a evening/weekend program for nursing, however they are also expensive and a 4 year school. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!

[malenursetobe]

Dear NYCnurse2be,

I myself am changing careers from business to nursing. I have a four year degree in marketing. I have done sales and marketing for over 9 years. I am also in my 30's and live in Kew Gardens, Queens. I have done a lot of research into nursing, schooling and prerequisites.

I have heard from some sources that a four year degree is preferrable in some NYC hospitals, but for the most part, the nursing shortage prevents them from cutting out two year nursing graduates.

I applied to Hunter. They took 89 of my credits. I still have to take my prereqs there. A&P I & II, Chem I & II and microbiology. I will take them there and see if I can get in. I was told that it is very competitive because the nursing program is inexpensive and reputable. They base your application on GPA and your score on the Pre Rn exam.

I like bio but I don't like Chem very much. I know I will manage it somehow. Good luck.

[SteveRN21]

For answers to your general pre-nursing questions, check out the nursing student/prenursing forums.....there's a lot of good stuff on those forums...


Best of luck!

[nycNurse2b]

Originally Posted by SteveRN21

For answers to your general pre-nursing questions, check out the nursing student/prenursing forums.....there's a lot of good stuff on those forums...


Best of luck!

Hi,
This is actually an OLD post of mine that somehow has re-surfaced. I have actually completed all my pre-reqs and am waiting to hear on my nursing school acceptance! Thanks anyway!

[barbnyc]

Hi NYCnurse2b,

CUNY will take all of your credits that are applicable to the nursing degree. If you start with an ADN, they will transfer only those courses you need for the Associate (there are no electives in the nursing associate degree).

I've been taking my pre-requisites and co-requisites at LaGuardia. Since I did not have any biological sciences in my BA, I was only able to transfer 12 credits (Eng 101, Eng 102, Human Development & Sociology). I've had to take Biochemistry, Psych 101, A&P I and A&P II. I have Microbiology this summer and start nursing school at a private nursing program in Fall 2006.

If you transfer to a 4 year college with an accelerated RN program, you can transfer at least 50 credits but you still need to do the biology classes.

[minnielynn]

Originally Posted by barbnyc

Hi NYCnurse2b,

I have Microbiology this summer and start nursing school at a private nursing program in Fall 2006.

If you don't mind me asking, what school did you apply to? You can PM if you like. Thanks



Lynn

[glenwood]

Don''t bet on being accepted by CUNY. Apply to Pace University and several others. It is hard to get into nursing school right now. very Competitive. A business background can be an asset and a lot of Nurses get MBNAs later on in life.